Welcome back, my friends! Speaking of welcomes, hello to high season and our friends from up north. I might not love the increased traffic, but with how beautiful it is this time of year, I can’t really blame anyone for wanting to be here. Looking at the event schedule for this week, it seems everyone wants to be outside because there are plenty of hikes, outdoor markets, festivals, and more happening in the sunshine. Let’s dive in!

I’ve been brainstorming ways to bring this amazing community together in real life. A chance to meet new folks and explore new restaurants. Here’s the idea: a Sunny St. Pete Dinner Club where we get matched up with a few strangers, enjoy a meal together, have some fun, and make new friends. Maybe even throw in a casual afterparty as well.

Let me know your thoughts — if there’s enough interest, I’ll get to work setting this up.

If you've been waiting for a sign to visit our local museums, this is it. We’ve got a trifecta of incredible exhibits happening right now that are putting St. Pete on the global art map.

In Caravaggio's Light @ Museum of Fine Arts - This is a big deal, folks. The MFA is hosting roughly 40 Baroque masterpieces, including Caravaggio’s famous Boy Bitten by a Lizard—which hasn't been seen in the U.S. in over a decade (only the second time since the 40s)! Prepare for some serious "chiaroscuro" (that’s fancy art-speak for dramatic lighting) and an exhibit that rivals those in Europe.

Edward S. Curtis: Photographer of His Time @ The James Museum - You may know Curtis for his iconic images of Native American life, but this exhibit goes deeper. Running through March 2026, it pairs his work with contemporaries like Dorothea Lange and features a stunning "Portrait Gallery" that honors the individuals in the photos as active collaborators, not just subjects. It’s a moving mix of history and artistry.

Magic + Migration: Nature in Contemporary Glass Exhibit @ Morean Arts Center - Your chance to experience the "Glass Coast." The seven artists in this exhibition use images of fish, birds and wildlife to convey deeper meanings related to mankind and our relationship to the world around us.

Now is the time to sow one my favorite plants here in St. Pete—the Everglades Tomato. While some consider it a Florida native because it grows wild, it likely originated in Ecuador/Peru. After hybridizing when Native Americans and migratory birds carried it north, it ultimately ended up in the Keys.

This is the best-growing tomato you’ll find in Florida, being tolerant of our soil, salty winds/water, and disease. The photos above are from a “volunteer” plant that popped up on its own from soil in a different plant’s pot that I brought with me when moving to our current house. We were harvesting container after container every week and had to start giving them away to the neighbors to keep up! They fruits are small but have a delicious tomato flavor straight off the vine, on a salad, or in a sauce.

The tomato can actually bloom year round, but is generally considered annual or biennial. Now is the best time sow these seeds, whether you want to do so in a pot or right into the ground! If interested, I highly recommend getting seeds from The Urban Harvest, which is located here in St. Pete!

St. Pete voters may face a tax paradox on the 2026 ballot. While state lawmakers are pushing to cut property taxes for homeowners, Mayor Welch is proposing a new local tax to fund vital stormwater and water upgrades. It’s a potential "save here, spend there" scenario that raises questions about how we’ll fund essential services like police and fire protection moving forward. Definitely a topic to keep tabs on in the coming months so you can make an informed decision when you head to the ballot box! Learn more.

We worked with local print company Sick Dope Fresh on our newest design—the Doodle! We hand drew it and screen printed right here in St. Pete on a heavyweight cotton shirt that gets softer over time. Available as both a crop top and t-shirt, this one is a win for supporting local and manatee lovers alike.

Want to spread the word about your business, a project you’re working on, an exciting event, a hiring opportunity, or just want to say hi to thousands of neighbors?

WAVE MAKERS WORKSHOPS: Join fellow Sunny St. Pete reader Jamie as she leads a beginner friendly workshop to create your very own resin cutting board! All materials are provided—just bring a good attitude and some crafting clothes! Jan 22, 11am-12:30pm @ Wave Makers Workshops. Ride the waves.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Adopt Big Cheese the dog or Eleanor the cat.

FLIGHT DEAL: Fly out of PIE direct to Nashville for a week in March. Only $95 round trip, which is 34% less than the usual prices.

‘BURG ABODES: Big Bayou Estate in Driftwood. $2,300,000 | 4bd 4ba | 3,992 sqft. Huge lot, pool, dock, tall windows, waterfront views, recent updates, and untouched by last year’s hurricanes. It’s not too late to get me a little Christmas present if you forgot…

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE - Resolution

St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show | Albert Whitted Park | Jan 15-18 | hours vary | $24 🎟️

The largest boat show on the Gulf Coast is docking right in our backyard next weekend. Whether you’re in the market for a sleek new cruiser, a classic sailboat, or just want to daydream about that yacht life, this is the place to be.

We’re talking hundreds of boats in the water and on land, plus a massive 40,000-square-foot tent packed with all the marine gear and gadgets you could ever need. Bringing the crew? There are free Kids Fishing Clinics with Captain Don Dingman (Hook the Future) on Saturday and Sunday, plus on-water training courses for the grown-ups who want to brush up on their skills.

Pro Tip: There’s no box office on-site, so be sure to snag your digital tickets before you head down to the waterfront!

Meet a Master Gardener | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Jan 8, 10:30-11:30am | Free
Plant advice, ID, problem-solving.

Makers & Shakers Market | St. Pete Distillery | Jan 8, 6-10pm | Free
Local market, makers, cocktails, tours.

Duck Days: Exclusive Jeep Photo Opportunity | Coachman Park | Jan 9, All Day | $15 🎟️
Photo opportunity with Jeep and duck.

Naturalist Guided Tour | Weedon Island Preserve | Jan 10, 9:30am | Free 🎟️
Explore habitats, wildlife, history outdoors.

Starlight & Shutter Astrophotography | Fort De Soto Park | Jan 10, 9-10:30pm | $10 🎟️
Capture the night sky's beauty.

Shorebirds & Seashells Guided Beach Walk | Fort De Soto Park (North Beach snack bar) | Jan 10, 11:30am-12:30pm | Free
Volunteer-led walk, learn about wildlife.

Family Day: Musical Instrument Petting Zoo w/ Florida Orchestra | Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement | Jan 10, 10am-1pm | Free with Admission 🎟️
Explore, experience, and play orchestra instruments.

Rock the Rocks: Monthly Market & Live Music | The Original Crabby Bill's | Jan 10, 12-10pm | Free
Local flavor, music, and fun

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival | Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks | Jan 10-11, 10am-5pm | Free
Creative creations by local artists.

Saturday Morning Market | Al Lang Stadium | Dec 27, 9am-2pm | Free

Arrowhead Nature Walk | Fort De Soto Park (Arrowhead picnic area) | Jan 11, 11-11:45am | Free
Ranger led exploration of nature.

St. Pete Running & Coffee Grand Opening | St. Pete Running & Coffee | Jan 11, starts at 8am | Free
Ribbon cutting, community run/walk, free coffee for first 200

Kenwood Sunday Market | St. Pete High School | Dec 28, 10am-2pm | Free

Corey Ave Sunday Market | Corey Ave | Dec 28, 10am-2pm | Free

Laughter League | Imagine Museum | Jan 13, 6:30-7:30p | $10 🎟️
Comedy, art, culture, and humor meet.

Workshop: Vision Board Collage | The Dalí Museum | Jan 13, 6-9pm | $30 - $40 🎟️
Surreal vision board inspired by art.

Speakeasy Comedy Show | Dirty Laundry | Jan 14, 7-10pm | $13+
Secret lineup of laughs tonight.

Surreal Films Night | Dalí Museum | Jan 15, 6-7:30p | $15 🎟️
Film showcase explores reality, illusion.

Napa to Napoli Antinori Wine Dinner | Birch & Vine | Jan 15, 6-9pm | $128 🎟️
Four-course wine pairing dinner available.

Power & Sailboat Show | Albert Whitted Park | Jan 15-18, hours vary | $24 🎟️
Boats, marine gear, and training.

The Coral Reefer Band at The Mahaffey | Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater | Jan 15, 8pm | $100+ 🎟️
Coral Reefer Band keeps party going.

Want to see events beyond the next week? Use the guide below.

Looking for details on markets this week?

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Thanks so much for reading! As always, you can reply directly to this email with any feedback.

Stay Sunny,
Josh